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- From: AFP
- November 03, 2009 9:42AM
ENGLAND have put back the announcement of their team to face Australia by 24 hours to Wednesday as team manager Martin Johnson grapples with a full-blown injury crisis.
"Due to a number of players joining and leaving the squad over the last few days we have not reached a final decision on our 22 for Saturday's match against Australia and therefore we have decided to delay naming the Test side until Wednesday," Johnson said.
England have lost 11 of their initial 32-man senior elite squad, including six who toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in June and July, plus last year's player of the year, Delon Armitage.
On the plus side, Johnson has the rare luxury of being able to call upon a fully fit Jonny Wilkinson, who has been revitalised by his move to French club Toulon, and the England team manager is confident he can put together a side capable of beating the Wallabies.
"We are confident in the group we've got," Johnson said. "It's a good blend. With the challenges we've got this week, we can be very competitive."
Inside centre Riki Flutey is among the most significant absentees from Johnson's squad but Northampton's Shane Geraghty, who has been in outstanding form for his club, offers Johnson an attractive alternative.
England's options are not so great in other areas, notably in replacing the first-choice front row of hooker Lee Mears and props Phil Vickery and Andrew Sheridan.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225793773541
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